10 Breath-taking Real Life Locations of Game of Thrones

When someone mentions King’s Landing, Winterfell, Astapor, the North of the Wall; a 'Game of Thrones' fan knows exactly the places you are mentioning! It's difficult to believe, but these locations are real, with most of them located in Europe. Let's take a visual voyage of these stunning locations.

1. Dubrovnik, Croatia - King's Landing

The throne of swords in Westeros, King’s Landing aka Dubrovnik, in real life, is a Croatian city, in the region of Dalmatia. It is surrounded by thick stone walls on a peninsula surrounded by a dramatic stone cliff.

2. Minceta Tower, Croatia - House of the Undying

This tall, ancient structure is located in Dubrovnik (in Croatia), which is a defence tower facing towards the land. This where Daenerys was forced to go in to rescue her dragons, and was faced with unexpected visions. It is also a symbol of how 'unconquerable' the city is.

3. The Castle of Aragon, Italy - House Greyjoy of Pyke

House Greyjoy of Pyke is one of the greater houses of Westeros, and rule over the Iron Islands. In real life, it is a medieval castle located in Ischia, at the northern end of the Gulf of Naples, Italy. The Argonese Castle stands on a volcanic rock and is a historical monument built by Alfonso of Aragon in 1438.

4. The Limestone Azure Window, Malta - Pentos

Daenerys (Mother of Dragons) and Khal Drogo were married in Pentos. The beautiful backdrop is situated n Gozo, Malta, and is called the limestone Azure Window. This formation was created after two limestone sea caves collapsed. If you are a scuba diver, you have to visit this destination.

5. Grjotagja, North East Iceland - Jon and Ygritte's Love Nest

All the girls remember the beautiful cave where Jon Snow and Ygritte made love for the first time. Grjótagjá is a small lava cave near Lake Mývatn in north-east Iceland. While outside is snow and ice, the water in the spring can get up to 50 degrees C. Wonder why they got so hot there! My advice is to visit the cave and re-enact the scene with your special someone.

6. Fort Doune, Scotland - Winterfell

In Season 1, we all remember that the Stark family lived in Winterfell, which was then brutally burnt down by Theon Greyjoy. This fort was originally built in the 13th century and rebuilt in the late 14th century by the Duke of Albany, Robert Stewart and is called Doune. It is located in the district of Stirling, in Scotland. The fort has survived quite unchanged and complete until today.

7. Fort Manoel, Malta Island - Great Sept of Baelor

The Great Sept of Baelor is the infamous place where Ned Stark was decapitated when King Joffrey Baratheon declares that he must be executed. The Great Sept of Baelor, also called the Sept of Baelor, is the center of religious worship for the Faith of the Seven and the seat of the High Septon of the Faith. It is located in King's Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms.

In real life, this place is Fort Manoel, and is situated on Malta Island in Marsamxett Harbour, north-west of Valletta. It was originally built for military purposes by the Knights of Malta between 1723 and 1755. It was passed to British control in the 18th century and also played an important role during World War Two.

8. Essaouira, Morocco - Astapor

Astapor is a city on Slaver's Bay renowned for the special slaves that it produces, called the Unsullied. Daenerys visits the Walk of Punishment, where slaves who have committed transgressions are tortured and put on display as a warning to others, and it also where her children Drogon, Viserion, and Rhaegal are also unleashed.

Essaouira lies to the west of Aït-Ben-Haddou, and around 100km west of Marrakech, on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. Unlike Astapor, Essaouira is known for a more relaxed atmosphere. In the 1960s it was a hippie hangout graced by rock stars such as Cat Stevens and Jimi Hendrix. It’s also a fishing port, where you can feast on awesome fresh seafood.

9. Hverfjall Volcano, Northern Iceland - Beyond the Wall

The Beyond the Wall area which is occupied by the Wildings and the White Walkers is shot at the Hverfjall volcano in the Lake Myvatin region of Northern Iceland. There were different locations used for different shots through season 2 and 3. So, a whole tour of Northern Iceland should cover the Beyond the Wall area. Bon Voyage!

The Kingsroad is the longest and grandest highway in the Seven Kingdoms, running from Castle Black at the Wall, all the way south to the capital city of King's Landing, passing Winterfell along the way. Arya passed this highway disguised as a boy to escape from the city where her father was decapitated.

Originally, this beech tree lined road near Stanocum in Couny Antrim, Northern Ireland is called the Dark Hedges. The trees were planted by the Stuart family in the 18th century to impress their visitors as they approached the entrance to their Georgian mansion (Gracehill House).